Pretty much done with calorie deficit for the time being. Ended up at 182-183 with 13cm off my midsection. This doesn't mean I am going to 'bulk' immediately since I gain fat pretty easily. Rather, I am going to increase my workload once again and try to gain strength without gaining too much weight. I should not be more than 200 in 20 weeks but where I am keeping an eye on is the waistline more than the scale. As for training, doing more assistance work, some sets of 15 here and there for leg curls and leg extensions for example. Not gone heavy on the compounds though I did a 140kg deadlift without straps or a belt like it was a speed pull so that was encouraging.
Best of all, I look forward to training again instead of dreading it a month ago.